'Free sanitary pads for school girls': SC's landmark order on menstrual health, terms it a fundamental right

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court profoundly impacted States and the Union Government by ordering them to distribute free sanitary pads to all school girls. The Court ruled that ensuring menstrual health and hygiene is a fundamental right that flows from the Right to Life under Article 21 and is also a part of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education under the Constitution.

The Supreme Court has mandated that all schools, whether private or government, located in urban as well as rural areas, must provide girls with free biodegradable sanitary napkins of the highest safety and hygienic standards.

On Friday, the supreme court directed all states and Union Territories to provide free bio, degradable menstrual sanitary pads to girl students in both private and government schools. The court also ruled that the right to menstrual health is one of the fundamental rights to life guaranteed by the Constitution.

'Separate Toilets For Female and Male Students'

Issuing the order, a bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan instructed states and Union Territories to segregate the toilets for female and male students in all schools. It was also stated that all schools, whether they are state, run or controlled, have to provide disabled, friendly toilets.

"The right to menstrual health is an integral component of the right to life guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution, " the bench said while mentioning that private schools will be de, recognised if they do not provide these facilities.

The Court, in its ruling, also stated that directions with regard to the disposal of sanitary waste have also been issued by it, in its detailed judgement

“Before parting with the issue, we want to say that this pronouncement is not just for stakeholders of the legal system. It is also meant for classrooms where girls hesitate to ask for help. It is for teachers who want to help but are not able to due to the lack of resources. Progress is measured by how we protect the vulnerable,” Justice Pardiwala observed.

Governments Will Be Accountable: SC

The Supreme Court said it will hold governments accountable if they too fail to provide toilets and free sanitary pads to girls.